Abstract:

A symmetrical rubrene derivative, 5,6-bis(4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl)-11,12-diphenyltetracene, was synthesized via the thermal dimerization of 1,1-diphenyl-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]-3-chloroallene. The reaction proceeded with low selectivity, affording the target tetracene and the bis(alkylidene)cyclobutene by-product in nearly equal yields 25% each. The optical characteristics of this rubrene derivative were investigated, revealing bright orange fluorescence in a CHCl₃ solution (λ_em=565 nm, Φ_F=0.81, τ=11.41 ns), which is strongly quenched in the solid state (Φ_F=0.01) due to aggregation.

Abstract: Alginate aerogels are attractive candidates for biomedical scaffolds because they combine high mesoporosity with biocompatibility and can be processed into open, interconnected macroporous networks suitable for tissue engineering. Here, we systematically investigate how CO₂-induced foaming parameters govern the hierarchical pore structure of alginate aerogels produced by subsequent supercritical CO₂ drying. Sodium alginate–CaCO₃ suspensions are foamed in a CO₂ atmosphere at 50 or 100 bar, depressurization rates of 50 or 0.05 bar·s⁻¹, temperatures of 5 or 25 °C, and, optionally, under pulsed pressure or with Pluronic F-68 as a surfactant. The resulting gels are dried using supercritical CO₂ and characterized by micro-computed tomography and N₂ sorption. High pressure combined with slow depressurization (100 bar, 0.05 bar·s⁻¹) yields a homogeneous macroporous network with pores predominantly in the 200–500 µm range and a mesoporous texture with 15–35 nm pores, whereas fast depressurization promotes bubble coalescence and the appearance of large (>2100 µm) macropores and a broader mesopore distribution. Lowering the temperature, applying pulsed pressure, and adding surfactant enable further tuning of macropore size and connectivity with a limited impact on mesoporosity. Interpretation in terms of Peclet and Deborah numbers links processing conditions to non-equilibrium mass transfer and gel viscoelasticity, providing a physically grounded map for designing hierarchically porous alginate aerogel scaffolds for biomedical applications.

Abstract: Protein-based materials such as human serum albumin (HSA) have demonstrated significant potential for the development of novel wound management materials. For the first time, the formation of HSA-based hydrogels was proposed using a combination of ther-mal- and ethanol-induced approaches. The combination of phosphate-buffered saline and limited (up to 20% v/v) ethanol content offers a promising strategy for fabricating human serum albumin-based hydrogels with tunable properties. The hydrogel formation was studied using in situ DLS for qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of the patterns of protein hydrogel formation through thermally induced gelation. The rheological proper-ties of human serum albumin-based hydrogels were investigated. Hydrogels synthesized via thermally induced gelation using a denaturing agent exhibit a dynamic viscosity ranging from 100 to 10,000 mPa·s. These human serum albumin-based hydrogels repre-sent a promising platform for developing topical therapeutic agents for wound manage-ment and tissue engineering applications. This study investigated the kinetics of tetracy-cline release from human serum albumin-based hydrogels in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and fetal bovine serum (FBS). All tested formulations of human serum albumin (HSA)-based hydrogels loaded with tetracycline (0.15 mg/mL) was demonstrated antibacterial activity of against Staphylococcus aureus strains.

Abstract: Surfactants are commonly employed in cleaning, cosmetic and pharmaceutical formula-tions due to their ability to lower surface tension and facilitate the formation of emulsions, foams, and dispersions. Recent research highlights the advantages of synergistic interac-tions between anionic and nonionic surfactants to improve overall performance. In this study the physicochemical properties and performance of binary mixtures of the anionic surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and the amphoteric surfactant lauryl dimethyl amine oxide (LDAO) at varying ratios (100% SLS, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50) were investigated. Key parameters analysed included critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface tension (), foam volume and potential irritability, assessed via the Zein test. The results revealed a clear synergistic effect between SLS and LDAO: all mixtures showed reduced CMC and minimum surface tension compared to the individual surfac-tants, while exhibiting enhanced foam volume and stability. Regarding irritability, in-creasing LDAO content consistently led to decreased protein denaturation, indicating lower irritancy levels. Furthermore, the results obtained in the Zein test confirmed that mixtures induced less protein denaturation than the sum of their individual surfactant components, with formulations ranging from moderately to non-irritating. The results obtained indicate that the more stable mixed micelle systems (SLS+LDAO) might improve the performance of cleaning formulations (, CMC, foam) while reducing the irritability.

Abstract: Graphene (GRA) and graphene oxide (GO) have drawn significant attention in materials science, chemistry, and nanotechnology because of their tunable physicochemical properties and wide range of potential uses in biomedical and environmental applications. Building reliable, large-scale molecular models of GRA and GO is essential for molecular simulations of wetting, adsorption, and catalytic behavior. However, current methods often struggle to generate large, chemically consistent sheets at high oxidation levels. In addition, the resulting structures are frequently incompatible across different simulation packages. This work introduces a step-by-step protocol with custom Tool Command Language (Tcl) and modified Python scripts for building large-scale, AMBER-compatible GO structures with oxidation levels from 0% to 68%. The workflow applies a systematic surface modification strategy combined with post-processing and atom-type assignment routines to ensure chemical accuracy and force field consistency. The dataset includes fifteen MOL2 format files of 20 × 20 nm² GO sheets, ranging from pristine to highly oxidized surfaces, each validated through oxidation-ratio analysis and structural integrity checks. Together, the dataset and protocol provide a design of scalable and chemically reliable GO molecular models for molecular dynamics simulations.

Abstract:

Polyurethane (PU) is widely recognized for its efficient oil sorption properties. However, this capacity is highly dependent on its intrinsic chemical composition and morphological structure which can be altered by mechanical or chemical treatments commonly applied before using as a sorbent. In this study, we present a comprehensive investigation of the oil sorption behavior of both soft and rigid PU foams, and their blade-milled ground (BMG) counterparts obtained by mechanical treatment of several recycled PU-based products, including seats, mattresses, side panel of cars, packaging components, insulating panels of refrigerators and freezers. We found that blade-milling of the soft PU foams leads to a significant reduction in oil sorption capacity, proportional to the extent of grinding. Pristine soft PU foams and the BMG-PUs with intermediate particle size (1 mm –250 μm) exhibited the highest oil uptake (30 -20 g/g), whereas the finest fraction (250 μm – 5 μm) showed lower capacity (3-7 g/g). In contrast, rigid PU foams showed consistently low oil sorption (~5 g/g), with negligible differences between the original and ground materials. At the macroscopic level, optical and morphological analyses revealed the collapse of the 3D porous network and a reduction in surface area. On the microscopic scale, spectroscopic, structural, and thermal analyses confirmed phase separation and rearrangement of hard and soft segmented domains within the polymer matrix, suggesting a different mechanism for oil sorption of BMG-PU. Despite reduced performance compared to pristine foams, BMG-PU powders, especially those with intermediate dimensions and originating from soft PU foams, present a viable, low-cost, and sustainable alternative for oil sorption applications, including oil spill remediation, while offering an effective strategy for effective recycling of PU foam wastes.

Abstract: The structural and electrochemical properties of gold nanoparticles biosynthesized from Rhus coriaria L. (Rc@AuNPs) were comprehensively investigated and characterized. R. co-riaria (sumac) served as a natural gold reducing and capping agent due to its rich poly-phenolic and phytochemical composition, enabling a sustainable, low-cost, and environ-mentally friendly synthesis of Rc@AuNPs. The electrochemical behavior of the hybrid material was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Rc@AuNPs exhibited specific capacitances of 129.48 F/g, 156.32 F/g, and 280.37 F/g in H₂SO₄, Na₂SO₄, and KOH electro-lytes, respectively, indicating strong potential for supercapacitor and energy-storage ap-plications. GCD analysis further showed Csp values of 107.69 F/g (H₂SO₄), 133.23 F/g (Na₂SO₄), and 348.34 F/g (KOH), confirming the highest charge-storage performance in basic media. EIS measurements supported these results, yielding ESR values of 67.96 Ω in H₂SO₄, 64.42 Ω in Na₂SO₄, and a notably lower 24.43 Ω in KOH, consistent with its higher ionic conductivity and more efficient charge transfer. Overall, the superior Csp and low ESR observed in KOH demonstrate the excellent capacitive behavior of Rc@AuNPs. These biosynthesized gold nanoparticles represent a promising and sustainable electrode mate-rial for high-performance energy-storage technologies.

Abstract: The textile industries mostly rely on synthetic dyes, which contains nonbiodegradable components and high toxicity make its use environmentally hazardous. The present research delves into the unique application of proteins extracted Black Soldier Fly (BSF), as a natural dyes for wool fabrics. The hydrolyzed proteins extracted from each insect material (larvae, cocoons and flies) using superheated water at 170 °C for 1 h were used as natural dyes for dyeing wool fabrics with and without mordant (ferrous sulfate, 5% o.w.f.). Fabrics treated with mordant-free protein hydrolysate derived from cocoons showed best results with an increase in color strength (K/S value) from 0.43 to 2.78 with an increasing dye concentration from 2% to 50% o.w.f. . Color fastness to washing shows that dyed fabrics undergo variable color changes (from grade 4 to grade 1) but release little dye onto other fabrics, especially wool and synthetic fibers. Dry and wet rubbing color fastness tests showed overall variable color fastness, with little color loss on the abraded reference fabric. Overall, this work highlights the potential of protein hydrolysate from BSF as a natural and environmentally friendly dye, which may represent a promising alternative to synthetic dyes in the textile industry.

Abstract: Silica–chitosan hybrid composites containing up to 3.5 % chitosan were prepared via a reproducible and simple sol–gel route through the hydrolysis and condensation of tet-raethoxysilane (TEOS). The obtained gels were systematically characterized in terms of their textural, optical and thermal properties using UV–Vis spectroscopy, TG/DTA analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-Ray diffraction and thermal conduc-tivity measurements. The bulk gel density was found to increase with chitosan content, indicating gradual compaction of the silica network and high sample homogeneity. These structural changes were accompanied by alterations in thermal stability, optical transparency, and heat transfer properties. DTA analysis revealed a broad exothermic feature, which may indicate a thermally induced process, such as partial carbonization. The resulting composites are suitable for various applications, including thermal insu-lation with controlled thermal conductivity, optical devices, biocompatible coatings, adsorbents for pollutant removal, controlled drug delivery, catalytic supports, and sensors. UV/Vis measurements display an intense absorption feature of the composites at 280 – 305 nm, which is promising for optical filter applications in combination with the increased mechanical stability due to chitosan addition.

Abstract: The paper focuses on materials characterization and «in vivo» biocompatibility tests of Ti6Al7Nb alloys microdoped by 0.3 wt. % of rareearth elements (REE) to use it as perspective materials to produce personalized medical implants. All Ti6Al7Nb0.3REE alloys (REE Y, Ce, La) were produced by electric arc melting method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy (OM), energy-dispersive Xray spectroscopy analysis (EDX), helium pycnometer as well as reducing/oxidation melting methods. The measured true densities increased in the order: Ti−6Al−7Nb−0.3Y (4.4563 ± 0.1075 g/cm³) < Ti−6Al−7Nb−0.3Ce (4.7255 ± 0.2853 g/cm³) < Ti−6Al−7Nb−0.3La (4.8019 ± 0.0111 g/cm³). Diffraction analysis was performed to indicate phases composition and calculate crystallites sizes, crystal orientation and lattice parameters that confirmed REEmicrodoping due to increase of lattice volume. The single-phase Ti6Al7Nb0.3Y alloy had the finest αTi crystallites (22.32 nm), the larger αTi crystallites in the dualphase Ti6Al7Nb0.3Ce and Ti6Al7Nb0.3La (30.77 nm and 29.83 nm, respectively) suggest that the presence of the βTi phase. Hardness (H) and elastic modulus (E) were indicated by nanoindentation and increased in the order: Ti−6Al−7Nb−0.3La (4.01 GPa and 17.7 GPa respectively) < Ti−6Al−7Nb−0.3Y (4.39 GPa and 137 GPa respectively ) < Ti−6Al−7Nb−0.3Ce (4,67 GPa and 146 GPa respectively). In vivo tests showed that Ti6Al7Nb0.3La alloy had statistically significant increase of local inflammation at the one-week mark needed to further research and explanation as well, that could be indicator of toxicity in comparison with other studied alloys.

Abstract: The petroleum industry faces intensifying challenges related to the depletion of easily accessible reservoirs and the growing energy demand, necessitating the adoption of ad-vanced chemical agents that can operate under extreme conditions. Cationic gemini sur-factants, characterized by their unique dimeric architecture consisting of two hydrophilic head groups and two hydrophobic tails, have emerged as superior alternatives to con-ventional monomeric surfactants due to their enhanced interfacial activity and physico-chemical resilience. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the literature concerning the molecular structure, synthesis, and functional applications of cationic gemini surfactants across the entire oil value chain, from extraction to refining. The analysis reveals that gemini surfactants exhibit critical micelle concentrations signifi-cantly lower than their monomeric analogues and maintain stability in high-temperature and high-salinity environments. They demonstrate exceptional efficacy in enhanced oil recovery through ultra-low interfacial tension reduction and wettability alteration, while simultaneously serving as effective drag reducers, wax inhibitors, and dual-action bio-cidal corrosion inhibitors in transportation pipelines. Cationic gemini surfactants repre-sent a transformative class of multifunctional materials for the oil industry.

Abstract: Expanding the chemical diversity of DNA-encoded libraries (DELs) is crucial for identifying binders to emerging drug targets using DEL technology. In the present study, as part of our ongoing efforts to develop on-DNA diazide platforms (D-DAPs)—platform molecules possessing both aromatic and aliphatic azide groups on a single core reactive scaffold—we have designed and synthesized a new compact diazide platform, designated as a compact D-DAP (C-D-DAP). This molecule is based on a low-molecular-weight reactive scaffold, 3-azido-5-(azidomethyl)benzoic acid, to facilitate small-molecule drug discovery targeting enzymes and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Furthermore, we established two distinct stepwise warhead construction strategies that exploit the chemoselective transformations of the azide groups in the C-D-DAP, which exhibit different reactivities. In addition, four virtual DELs were generated based on stepwise warhead elaboration from the C-D-DAP scaffold. Comparative chemical diversity analysis against bioactive compounds from ChEMBL revealed that these virtual libraries populate structural regions that are sparsely represented among known molecules. Each virtual library also occupies a distinct region of structural space relative to the others and displays intermediate quantitative estimate of drug-likeness (QED) values.

Abstract: Al–Zn–Ca alloys are good candidates for industrial electronics and electric vehicles due to their high thermal conductivity, castability, and corrosion resistance, but their strength requires improvement. This study investigates how Sc and Zr additions affect the microstructure, thermal, mechanical, and corrosion properties of an Al–3wt%Zn–3wt%Ca base alloy. Microstructural analysis showed that substituting Sc with Zr did not drastically alter the phase composition but changed the elemental distribution: Sc was uniform, while Zr segregated to dendritic cores. Zr addition also refined the grain size from 488 to 338 μm. An optimal aging treatment at 300 °C for 3 hours was established, which enhanced hardness for all alloys via precipitation of Al3Sc/Al3(Sc,Zr) particles. However, this Zr substitution reduced thermal conductivity (from 184.7 to 168.0 W/mK) and ultimate tensile strength (from 269 to 206 MPa), though it improved elongation at fracture (from 4.6 to 7.1%). All aged alloys exhibited high corrosion resistance in 5.7% NaCl + 0.3% H2O2 solution, with Zr-containing variants showing a lower corrosion rate and better pitting resistance. The study confirms the potential of tuning Sc/Zr ratios in Al–Zn–Ca alloys to achieve a favorable balance of strength, ductility, thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: Molten salts are increasingly regarded as promising fluids for high-temperature heat transfer, thermal energy storage, and advanced reaction processes, including concentrated solar power (CSP), molten salt oxidation (MSO), and next-generation nuclear reactors. Among these materials, the ternary eutectic mixture Li₂CO₃–Na₂CO₃–K₂CO₃ (32.12–33.36–34.52 wt%) has emerged as a leading candidate due to its wide operating temperature range and favourable thermodynamic characteristics. Despite its relevance, substantial inconsistencies and gaps remain in the available thermophysical property data, posing challenges for reliable design, modelling, and industrial deployment. This work revisits the Li₂CO₃–Na₂CO₃–K₂CO₃ eutectic through a critical assessment of the literature from its reported melting point at 397 °C (670 K) up to approximately 1200 K. Using a methodology inspired by IUPAC-supported strategies previously applied to common liquids such as water and hydrocarbons, we examine the quantity, quality, and coherence of existing measurements. Reference correlations are proposed only where the data are sufficiently robust to justify them. The analysis highlights a pressing need for more accurate and comprehensive measurements—particularly for heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and viscosity—to enable the development of reliable standard reference correlations. Addressing these data deficiencies is essential for advancing the safe and efficient use of molten carbonates in high-temperature energy technologies.

Abstract: Background: Recent studies have suggested significant antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), offering a ray of hope during the height of antibiotic resistance. However, their efficacy largely depends on the particle size and colloidal stability. Although higher stability of AgNPs is associated with improved antimicrobial activity, excessive stability weakens their reactivity with the bacterial membrane. The objective of the research is to evaluate different reducing agent combinations to achieve optimal particle size and colloidal stability for maximum bactericidal efficacy. Materials and Methods: The synthesis of AgNPs was carried out using silver nitrate using five different chemical reduction methods to compare their antimicrobial activity. After purification, the freeze-dried AgNPs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the AgNP formulations were investigated by plate counting method against the methicillin-resistant E. coli. Finally, the synthesized AgNPs were tested against the resistant strains of E. coli, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Bacillus, and Staphylococcus by the well diffusion method to evaluate and compare their inhibition zones. Results and Discussions: The average particle size for different formulations of nanoparticles ranges from 30.91 nm to 93.85 nm, while the zeta potential ranges from -8.0 mV to -41.1 mV. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for all AgNP formulations was determined against gram-negative E. coli, and AgNPs synthesized with only trisodium citrate were found to be the most effective with 99.75% bactericidal efficacy at 20 ppm concentration due to their optimal particle size and stability. However, AgNPs synthesized with polyethylene glycol and polyvinyl pyrrolidine were found to be the most effective against the resistant bacterial strains in the well diffusion assay. Conclusion: The reducing agents affect the particle size and stability of synthesized AgNPs, resulting in significant variations in their antibacterial activity, warranting further study.

Abstract: There is a growing demand for plant-derived antioxidants to replace synthetic ones in skincare applications. Phytochemicals are characterized by certain limitations, including poor bioavailability and chemical instability, which affect their industrial exploitation. Tomato peel extract has been used as a source of lycopene, which is renowned for its an-tioxidant properties. To improve the bioavailability of extracted lycopene, polymeric (Poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid) nano-carriers were synthesized by comparing two non-ionic surfactants, Polyvinyl alcohol and Tween 20. The impact of surfactants has been studied by evaluating: i) colloidal stability determined by Dynamic Light Scattering; ii) lycopene retention and bioactivity over time, as measured by spectrophotometric assays; iii) biolog-ical interactions on 2D and 3D culture keratinocytes and melanocytes cells. It was found that both surfactants enable the formation of stable lycopene-loaded nanoparticles sus-pensions; however, greater colloidal stability was exhibited by nanoparticles prepared with Tween 20. PVA, on the other hand, provided greater nanoparticles stability in terms of loaded lycopene retention and antioxidant activity. Tween 20 surfactant improves in-ternalization of lycopene-loaded nanoparticles in human skin spheroids. It was demon-strated that both surfactants provided excellent intracellular antioxidant activity of lyco-pene. This was observed in keratinocytes, melanocytes, adherent cells and spheroids, suggesting interesting skincare applications.

Abstract: A co-extrusion system, consisting of two sequential impregnation modules equipped with two heating systems, has been developed aimed at forming carbon yarns impregnated with thermoplastics. It has been shown that to ensure complete impregnation of the formed yarn, it is necessary to maintain the temperature in the extruders at 60-80 °C above the melting temperature of the polymer used. The highest strength achieved in the impregnated yarns was 3.3 GPa, which is 67% of the strength of raw carbon fiber. The degree of strength attained is determined primarily by the viscosity of the polymer melt; the minimum strength of 2.3 GPa and the greatest damage to the carbon fiber during impregnation was observed with the most viscous polymer. For all the studied samples, the elastic modulus is 210-220 GPa, which indicates good orientation and uniform drawing, allowing the rigidity of the raw carbon fiber to be almost completely realized.

Abstract: Synthetic Amorphous Silica (SAS) is produced and marketed since the early 1940’s and can be regarded as a nanostructured material since the first production even though the term ‘nano’ was not defined back then, and early publications describe the structure often as ‘milli-micron’. The present paper of Evonik Industries AG reviews the history of innovation and production of this “seasoned”, but evergreen product.

Abstract: The first hydrogenation behavior of the gas atomized Ti48.8Fe46.0Mn5.2 alloy was system-ically investigated. The as-received powder showed no hydrogen absorption due to the long air exposure before the hydrogenation tests. To overcome this, 5 passes of cold rolling were employed as an activation strategy. Cold rolling introduced cracks and defects that facilitated hydrogen diffusion, enabling the alloy to successfully absorb hydrogen. The influences of temperature, constant driving force, and hydrogen pressure on the first hydrogenation were evaluated. The results indicated that the first hydro-genation follows an Arrhenius behavior, with calculated activation energies of 69 and 57 kJ/mol H2. The observed difference in activation energies is likely associated with the variation of the driving force under constant pressure conditions. The pre-exponential factor (A) was found to be pressure-dependent, following the equation A = A₀ (P/P₀)1.8, where A₀ = 1.3 × 106 s⁻¹.

Abstract: Purpose : Data stability is a critical factor in ToF-SIMS single-cell analysis. However, various factors, such as sample processing, instrument condition, and data acquisition, can introduce uncertainties into ToF-SIMS data. Correcting this data is vital, yet current methods mainly focus on total ion current normalization or using consistent substrates. No specific correction method exists for ToF-SIMS single-cell metabolomics. Methods: This study utilizes the Norm-SVR, commonly used methods for correcting large-scale metabolomics data, for the correction of ToF-SIMS single-cell metabolomic analysis and assesses its performance in comparison to traditional total ion current normalization. Results and Conclusion: The results suggest that Norm-SVR effectively diminishes batch effects and reduces variability, thereby underscoring the method's efficacy and practicality. This approach is expected to improve data quality assurance in extensive ToF-SIMS analytical datasets.